TIRANA, May 9 /ATA/ A joint photographic and documentary exhibition, “ATA – A Journey into the History of Albanian News,” has opened at Tirana Castle. Organised by the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) in partnership with the General Directorate of Archives (DPA), the showcase offers a sweeping account of Albania’s information history. It features the evolution of news as a means for public communication, an institutional instrument, and a cornerstone of national memory.
The exhibition spans more than a century of developments, beginning with the earliest transmission halls of the 1920s, continuing through the era of radio broadcasting and traditional journalism, and culminating in the digital age with the technological transformation of modern media.
At its core, the showcase underscores the role of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) as the foundational institution for the production and dissemination of news, while simultaneously emphasising the profound interconnection between information and the nation’s political, social, and cultural evolution.
During the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu praised the exhibition as an initiative that bridges historical reflection with the future of information, at a time when disinformation and technological challenges are reshaping the media landscape. She noted its symbolic alignment with Europe Day, underscoring that media freedom, truthful information, and the reliability of official sources are core European values.
Koçiu affirmed that media freedom, the truthfulness of information, and accurate communication with citizens are guiding principles underpinning the values of the society Albania seeks to build. She also commended the work of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and its collaboration with the General Directorate of Archives (DPA), noting that the exhibition provides a space for reflection on the nation’s past and the evolution of Albanian society.
Koçiu highlighted Albania’s current challenges in the information sphere, noting Eurobarometer findings that 73% of citizens perceive disinformation as a daily risk and 86% regard it as a threat to democracy. She stressed that in the era of artificial intelligence and advanced technology, verifying information has become increasingly difficult. For this reason, she underscored the essential role of credible official institutions in ensuring reliable and accurate information.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), with the aim of consolidating its role as a key institution for truthful information. She remarked that the exhibition inspires confidence by showcasing the institution’s potential, history, and ongoing challenges, while stressing that government support will remain steadfast in elevating ATA to a higher level. Koçiu emphasised that ATA is among the fundamental institutions for safeguarding the truthfulness of information.
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